Manjinder Sirsa ineligible to be co-opted into DSGMC, says gurdwara directorate

New Delhi, September 21

The Directorate of Gurdwara Elections of Delhi Government has declared that the outgoing President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Manjinder Singh Sirsa, cannot be co-opted to the committee as “he does not qualify” under eligibility conditions.

Sirsa lost his Punjabi Bagh seat to Harvinder Singh Sarna when the results to the DSGMC polls were announced on August 25. Later, he was co-opted on the quota of the SGPC.

Not well-versed in Gurmukhi

The order of Directorate of Gurdwara Elections says Manjinder Singh Sirsa is not well-versed with reading and writing of Gurmukhi, and therefore “not qualified under Section 10 of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act 1971, to be chosen a Co-opted member of DSGMC, as a nominee of the SGPC, Amritsar”

Sarna had challenged the result in the Delhi High Court, which directed the Directorate of Gurdwara Election on the specific matter if Sirsa qualified under the DSGMC (co-option of member) rules 1974.

Narinder Singh, Director, Directorate of Gurdwara Elections, has declared that Sirsa does not meet the eligibility as he could not establish his proficiency in writing and reading Gurmukhi. The orders ask the SGPC to nominate a new person.

Sirsa submitted his educational qualifications of him having studied BA Honours (Punjabi) from Sri Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University, during 1990-1993. He also submitted a certificate issued by the Principal of Sukho Khalsa Sr Secondary School, Jail Road, Janakpuri, which said Sirsa had recited Gurbani in Gurmukhi and had also written Gurmukhi script before the Principal. Both his claims were rejected by the Directorate. Sirsa was asked to write an application in Gurmukhi, which the orders said, “had 27 errors”. — TNS